A method includes using a scanner to scan a laser beam along a scan path, and detecting light intensities caused by laser light of the laser beam incident on a detection cross-section. The method also includes determining a position of the detection cross-section relative to the laser scanner based on the detected light intensities. The scan path includes, in a plane which includes the detection cross-section, a first partial path and a second partial path which extend adjacent to each other and at a distance from each other which is: a) smaller than a diameter of the detection cross-section plus a diameter of the laser beam in the plane which includes the detection cross-section; and b) greater than 0.3 times the diameter of the laser beam in the plane which includes the detection cross-section or greater than 0.3 times the diameter of the detection cross-section.